To qualify for eligibilty of any kind, a player must graduate, plus take and pass a list of core classes (taking the classes is not hard to do since most states require a similar core for high school graduation...passing the classes are difficult for some).

Once you do these two things, then your GPA and standardized scores determine your type of eligibility...full, partial, or non-qualifier.

To be a full-qualifier, a sliding scale is used to figure different combos of GPA and standardized testing. I'll just concentrate on the high and low ends of each scale. The lowest GPA a player can have and be a full- qualifier is 2.0. But along with that 2.0, he or she must have an SAT score of 1010 or an ACT score of 86. The lowest possible SAT score to still be considered a full-qualifier is 820 (ACT of 68). A player must have a corresponding GPA of 2.5 or above with this low of a standardized test score.

A partial qualifier can practice with the team for the first year, but cannot play. The player does still get an athletic scholarship for that first year. The player, after the first year, then has three years remaining of eligibility. A new rule adds a possible fourth year of basketball eligibility only if the player receives a baccalaureate degree by the beginning of the players fifth year. The partial qualifier scale rewards higher GPAs and takes weight off of standardized scores. The minimum GPA needed to be a partial is a 2.525, with an SAT of 810 (ACT 67). At the other end of the scale, your SAT can drop to 720 (ACT 59), but your GPA must be at least 2.75.

A non-qualifier, of course, falls below these marks and is not available for a scholarship and cannot participate in any form of competition, including practice.

OldGoldFreePress.com is organized & maintained by a group of college sports reporters with the help of Purdue sports fans everywhere. OldGoldFreePress.com is an independent and unofficial Purdue (+ Big Ten Conference/NCAA) sports news site that is not affiliated with Purdue University, the Big Ten Conference, the NCAA and/or any university athletic program.